The Frame

A new report by the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA says movies and TV shows with diverse casts (such as "Empire," pictured) make good financial sense; Song Exploder breaks down the theme song for "House of Cards"; a new stage production at CalTech takes "Alice Through the Wormhole."

How did Amy Poehler's sitcom (pictured) survive seven seasons of average ratings?; Sam Beam, aka Iron & Wine, returns to his musical roots with "Archive Series Volume Number One"; Wes Anderson's Oscar-winning film is the subject of a new book; the L.A. Philharmonic stages a multimedia production of "Alice in Wonderland."

Sam Beam -- better known by his stage name Iron and Wine -- started writing stripped down folk songs more than a decade ago in his bedroom in Miami, Florida. After experimenting with Jazz, R&B and Pop, he returns to his quiet folk music roots with “Archive Series Volume No. 1.” Iron and Wine performs a live-set of songs new and old for The Frame. Set List: "Everyone’s Summer of ’95” “Two Hungry Blackbirds” “Low Light Buddy of Mine” Our interview with Beam and more here: http://www.scpr.org/programs/the-frame/2015/02/20/41644/iron-wine-performs-songs-from-archive-series-volum/ Video produced by Zach Stamey, James Kim and Maya Sugarman.

A special edition of The Frame examines Hollywood's diversity challenge with screenwriter José Rivera, producer Effie Brown and Frank Leonard, CEO of the The Black List screenplay project.

Many of the winners of the 87th Academy Awards joined us on The Frame to talk about their work. Hear from Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu, Best Adapted Screenplay winner Graham Moore (pictured), Best Actress Julianne Moore and ... more!

“Comedy Bang Bang” host Scott Aukerman (far right, with sidekick Reggie Watts) loves and laughs at late-night talk shows; How the "Interstellar" sound editor created the sound of gravity; The indie film crowd gets raucous at the Independent Spirit Awards; How "Hero" by Family of the Year became the unofficial theme song of “Boyhood."

Photographer Sandro Miller talks about how he recreated some of the world’s most famous portraits with actor John Malkovich (pictured) as his muse; Kate Burton and Jason Robards talk about being second-generation actors; The sound designer from "Birdman" breaks down a scene from the film.

Lin-Manuel Miranda and Thomas Kail have another stage hit with their hip-hop musical, "Hamilton" (pictured); How the sound editors for "Unbroken" created a pivotal scene for the movie; Thomas Lennon plays Felix Unger in CBS' remake of "The Odd Couple."

Jason Blum made his name producing successful, low-budget horror films, but he could get an Oscar as part of the producing team for "Boyhood" (pictured); the Sundance Institute pairs composers and filmmakers at Skywalker Ranch; Simon Rich's "Man Seeking Woman" is one of the most bizarre sitcoms on TV.

Our interviews with the best actors, best directors and more ahead of the Academy Awards. Hear from Wes Anderson, Alejandro Iñárritu (far right, with Michael Keaton), Richard Linklater, Benedict Cumberbatch, Julianne Moore, Eddie Redmayne, Reese Witherspoon and more.

Jocelyn DeBoer and Dawn Luebbe talk about their satirical film, which they wrote, directed, and star in; the legacy of film producer Robert Evans; Song Exploder with Raphael Saadiq.

What Robert Pattinson loves about acting and why he made the surreal film "The Lighthouse"; the buried American history inside HBO's "Watchmen," and "Jojo Rabbit" director Taika Waititi defends his anti-hate satire.

The sound editor turns director for her documentary on "The Art of Cinematic Sound"; pianist Cameron Graves is part of L.A.'s young generation of jazz artists.

The actor has in recent years taken on dark roles in the movie "Get Out" and the TV series, "The Handmaid’s Tale.” So he decided to lighten up with a sitcom.

The filmmaker — who endured an ill-advised screening at a major film festival, followed by The Weinstein Company filing for bankruptcy — is finally seeing the release of “The Current War: Director’s Cut”; is "South Park" worth $500 million on the streaming market?; Morrissey's political leanings may be jeopardizing his large Latino fanbase.

The actor bought the rights to Jonathan Lethem's book in 1999, and finally was able to direct his own adaptation of the novel.

In the singer/songwriter's new memoir, she reflects on death, sex, motherhood and misogyny.

Why Bradley Whitford is following his dark roles in "Get Out" and "The Handmaids Tale" with a new NBC sit-com; "Batwoman" creator says her lead was always going to be gay; The Chambers Brothers recount their musical journey

The actor has two major films this Fall, “Marriage Story” and “The Report.” He spoke with John Horn at the Telluride Film Festival.

The director adapted the screenplay for "JOJO Rabbit," a satire about a young German boy and his imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler; the plight of assistants in Hollywood.

The actor stars in the thriller, which is a departure from the “Twilight” franchise that brought him fame.

Director Roxanne Benjamin on Shudder's new anthology series, "Creepshow"; why Fortnite went dark; Art Alexakis, the frontman of Everclear, is back with a solo album.